Small high mobility backpack

ABSTRACT

A backpack having a main body with a center portion and at least four extending portions. The center portion has an interior cavity which is accessible by at least one opening. First and second extending portions are adjacent to one another and are connected to third and fourth extending portions, which are also adjacent to one another. The length of the first, second, third and fourth extending portions each have a length at least long enough to cross a vertical centerline of a wearer of the backpack.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/848,575, filed Oct. 2, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The backpack is a well know device that is used in a variety of activities and is structured in a variety of different ways. Traditionally, backpacks have been used by those with active lifestyles that require the toting of equipment or personal objects. This equipment can also range in size from, for example, small water bottles or snacks to larger and bulkier camping equipment. Activities where backpacks are often used include hiking, camping, school, military service and even law enforcement.

Many standard backpacks have the same basic structure, a main outer shell or bag that has attached shoulder straps. These shoulder straps are typically sewn to the bag, creating a flat stitched line creating a hinge between the shoulder strap and the bag. These shoulder straps typically attach to the lower end of the bag behind the vertical centerline of the backpack wearer. This lower attachment point, many times, is located 8-10 inches below the armpit of the backpack wearer.

Some, often larger, backpacks add a hip belt in order to add stability to the bag as the wearer of the backpack moves around. Generally, these hip belts are fairly large and due to their padding, can become somewhat cumbersome. These larger bags can also be much heavier than many of their smaller counterparts due largely to their size and additional hip belt.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment discloses a backpack. The backpack may include a main body with a center portion and at least four extending portions. The center portion may have an interior cavity accessible by at least one opening. First and second extending portions may be adjacent to one another and adjustable in length. The length of said first and second extending portions may have a length at least long enough to cross a vertical centerline of a wearer of the backpack. Third and fourth extending portions, respectively, may be releasably connected to the first and second extending portions, respectively. These releasable connections may be anchored in front of a wearer of the backpack. The third and fourth extending portions may also have a length at least long enough to cross a vertical centerline of a wearer of the backpack.

Another exemplary embodiment discloses a backpack. The backpack may include a main body with a center portion and at least four extending portions. The center portion may have an interior cavity accessible by at least one opening. First and second extending portions may be adjacent to one another and the length of said first and second extending portions may have a length at least long enough to cross a vertical centerline of a wearer of the backpack. Third and fourth extending portions may also be adjacent to one another and may be, respectively, releasably connected to the first and second extending portions, respectively. These releasable connections may be anchored in front of a wearer of the backpack. Each of the third and fourth extending portions may have a length at least long enough to cross a vertical centerline of a wearer of the backpack. The third and fourth extending portions may extend from a vertically central location of the center portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary back view of a first exemplary embodiment of a small high mobility backpack.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary front view of a first exemplary embodiment of a small high mobility backpack.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary back view showing pocket and strap details of a first exemplary embodiment of a small high mobility backpack.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary side view of a first exemplary embodiment of a small high mobility backpack.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary back view of a second exemplary embodiment of a small high mobility backpack.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary side view of an exemplary prior art backpack.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary side view of a third exemplary embodiment of a small high mobility backpack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description, discussion of several terms used herein follows.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

In the first exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, a small high mobility backpack may include a center portion 103. The center portion 103 may include multiple extending portions, for example, shoulder straps 102 a and 102 b and underarm extensions 101 a and 101 b. Underarm extensions 101 a and 101 b may wrap around the backpack wear's rib cage as tension is applied to the shoulder straps 102 a and 102 b. As the underarm extensions 101 a and 101 b tighten around the ribcage of the backpack wearer, the backpack is secured, reducing lateral and vertical movement of the backpack independent of the backpack wearer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the shoulder straps 102 a and 102 b and underarm extensions 101 a and 101 b may be made of one-piece construction with the center portion 103. In another exemplary embodiment, the shoulder straps 102 a and 102 b and underarm extensions 101 a and 101 b may be made of a different material than the center portion and attached to the center portion by, for example, gluing, sewing, fusing or any other attaching mechanism. The material used for the shoulder straps 102 a and 102 b and underarm extensions 101 a and 101 b may, for example, be flexible or semi-flexible and may be made of nylon or any other suitable material known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The shoulder straps 102 a and 102 b and underarm extensions 101 a and 101 b may be of varied length, for example, long enough to extend over a vertical center line 401 of a wearer of the backpack. The shoulder straps 102 a and 102 b and underarm extensions 101 a and 101 b may also be adjustable or of a fixed length. The underarm extensions 101 a and 101 b may also have a vertical widths that run from the bottom edge of the center portion 103 to the start of the shoulder straps 102 a and 102 b, or for example, 4 to 24 inches or any other desired vertical width.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the small high mobility backpack may have a main outer shell 201, which may cover and be attached to the center portion 103, shoulder straps 102 a and 102 b and underarm extensions 101 a and 101 b. The attachment of the outer shell to the corresponding center portion 103, shoulder straps 102 a and 102 b and underarm extensions 101 a and 101 b may be accomplished by, for example, gluing, sewing, fusing or any other attaching mechanism.

The outer shell 201 may have substantially the same shape as the corresponding center portion 103, shoulder straps 102 a and 102 b and underarm extensions 101 a and 101 b and may be made of the same or different material than the center portion 103, shoulder straps 102 a and 102 b and underarm extensions 101 a and 101 b. The outer shell 201 may also include an extension panel 202, which may be used to increase adjustability, and an outer shell for an underarm extension pocket 203.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the small high mobility backpack may also include a variety of features and pockets for better securing objects within the backpack and securing the backpack to the wearer of the backpack. The backpack may include adjustable interfaces 301 a and 301 b that may be located at the terminating ends of shoulder straps 102 a and 102 b. The adjustable interfaces 301 a and 301 b may be ladderloc type adjusters or, for example, a side lock, center lock, cam or any other adjustable buckle.

The adjustable interfaces 301 a and 301 b may be used to connect the webbing 302 a and 302 b attached to the underarm extensions 101 a and 101 b with shoulder straps 102 a and 102 b. The adjustable interface 301 a and 301 b may be used to adjust the tightness of the shoulder straps 102 a and 102 b in relation to the wearer of the backpack, creating a more desirable and secure fit between the backpack and the wearer of the backpack.

The backpack may also include shoulder pockets 307 a and 307 b, located within shoulder straps 102 a and 102 b, which may have access interfaces 308 a and 308 b. These access interfaces may be snap type closures or, for example, zippers, buttons, draw strings, Velcro or any other desirable closure. The shoulder pockets 307 a and 307 b may have one or as many access interfaces as desired.

Additionally, the backpack may also include underarm extension pockets 311 a and 311 b, located within underarm extensions 101 a and 101 b, which may have access interfaces 306 a and 306 b. These access interfaces may be zipper type closures or, for example, snaps, buttons, draw strings, Velcro or any other desirable closure. The underarm extension pockets 311 a and 311 b may have one or as many access interfaces as desired.

The backpack may include a secondary pocket 309 attached to outer shell 201. This secondary pocket 309 may include an access interface 310 which may be a snap type closure or, for example, zippers, buttons, draw strings, Velcro or any other desirable closure. The secondary pocket 309 may have one or as many access interfaces as desired. The secondary pocket 309 may be attached to the outer shell 201 by, for example, gluing, sewing, fusing or any other attaching mechanism.

Additionally, the backpack may include a main compartment which is formed between the center portion 103 and the outer shell 201. This main compartment has an access interface 305, which may be a zipper type closure or, for example, snaps, buttons, draw strings, Velcro or any other desirable closure. The main compartment may have one or as many access interfaces as desired.

In the first exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, objects within the main compartment may be compressed and additionally secured by compression straps 303 a 303 b and 303 c which are secured to corresponding compression interfaces 304 a, 304 b and 304 c. The compression interfaces 304 a, 304 b and 304 c may be ladderloc type adjusters or, for example, side locks, center locks, cams or any other adjustable buckles. In this exemplary embodiment there are three compression straps with three corresponding compression interfaces, but any number of straps or interfaces may be used to add or limit compression on objects within the main compartment.

In a second exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the backpack may include adjustable interfaces 501 a and 501 b that may be located at the terminating ends of the shoulder straps. The adjustable interfaces 501 a and 501 b may be a ladderloc type adjuster or, for example, a side lock, center lock, cam or any other adjustable buckle.

The adjustable interfaces 501 a and 501 b may be used to connect the webbing 502 a and 502 b attached to the underarm extensions 510 a and 510 b with the shoulder straps. The underarm extensions 510 a and 510 b may have a tapered shape, having a larger horizontal width on the top portion than at the bottom portion, as seen in FIG. 5. This tapered shape may improve the fit between the backpack and the backpack wearer. The underarm extensions 510 a and 510 b may also be made of any other geometric configuration that may be employed by one having ordinary skill in the art in order to improve the fit and security of the backpack to the backpack wearer. The adjustable interface 501 a and 501 b may be used to adjust the tightness of the shoulder straps in relation to the wearer of the backpack, creating a more desirable and secure fit between the backpack and the wearer of the backpack.

The backpack may also include shoulder pockets 512 a and 512 b, located within the shoulder straps, which may have access interfaces 511 a and 511 b. These access interfaces may be snap type closures or, for example, zippers, buttons, draw strings, Velcro or any other desirable closure. The shoulder pockets 512 a and 512 b may have one or as many access interfaces as desired.

Additionally, the backpack may also include underarm extension pockets with access interfaces 506 a and 506 b, located within underarm extensions 510 a and 510 b. These access interfaces 506 a and 506 b may be zipper type closures or, for example, snaps, buttons, draw strings, Velcro or any other desirable closure. The underarm extension pockets may have one or as many access interfaces as desired.

The second exemplary embodiment may include two secondary pockets 509 a and 509 b which are attached to the outer shell 515 of the backpack. The secondary pockets 509 a and 509 b may attached to the outer shell 515 by, for example, gluing, sewing, fusing or any other attaching mechanism. The secondary pockets 509 a and 509 b may have access interfaces 508 a and 508 b, which may be zipper type closures or, for example, snaps, buttons, draw strings, Velcro or any other desirable closure. Although only two secondary pockets are shown in FIG. 5, any number of additional secondary pockets may be added in any desired orientation to the outer shell 515.

A second exemplary embodiment may also include multiple access ports to the main compartment. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the outer shell 515 includes a first access interface 505 and a second access interface 513. The first access interface 512 may be a zipper type closure or, for example, snaps, buttons, draw strings, Velcro or any other desirable closure.

The second access interface 513 is a flap 513 which may be secured by strap connection interfaces 507 a and 507 b which may be attached to both the flap 513 and the outer shell 515. This attachment may be made by, for example, gluing, sewing, fusing or any other attaching mechanism. Additionally, the strap connection interfaces may be, for example, side lock buckles, cams cord locks, center release buckles or any other desirable adjustable buckle.

The second exemplary embodiment may also include deep tool pockets 514 a and 514 b, which may run parallel to the main compartment. These deep tool pockets 514 a and 514 b may be of any desirable depth and width. The deep tool pockets 514 a and 514 b may be used to carry, for example, long slender tools or any other objects that a backpack wearer would like to place therein.

The main compartment may be compressed and additionally secured by compression straps 503 a 503 b, 503 c and 503 d which are secured to corresponding compression interfaces 504 a, 504 b, 504 c and 504 d. The compression interfaces 504 a, 504 b, 504 c and 504 d may be ladderloc type adjusters or, for example, side locks, center locks, cams or any other adjustable buckles. In this exemplary embodiment there are three compression straps with three corresponding compression interfaces, but any number of strap or interfaces may be used to add or limit compression on objects within the main compartment.

FIG. 6 shows a conventional backpack being worn by a person. The backpack includes a main body 601, a shoulder strap 602, strap adjusting mechanism 603 and shoulder webbing 604. This conventional backpack 601 does not have an underarm extension portion and has only one main type of strap, which is the shoulder strap 602 with the shoulder webbing 604 being a continuous part of the shoulder strap 602.

In a third exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, a small high mobility backpack may include a main body portion 701, a shoulder portion 702 connected to a shoulder webbing 704 via a strap adjusting mechanism 703. Additionally, the backpack may include an underarm extension portion 705 connected to the shoulder webbing 704 via a strap adjusting mechanism 706. The underarm extension portion may be positioned to fit between 1 and 6 inches, or any other desirable position, below the underarm of the backpack wearer. The strap adjusting mechanism 706 may be for example, a ladderloc, cam buckle, squeeze clip or any other adjustable buckle. The strap adjustment buckle can be used to create the desired amount of lateral tension between the backpack and backpack wearer. This tension creates a secure fit for the backpack wearer and improves the mobility and stability of the backpack. 

1. A backpack comprising: a main body further comprising: a center portion and at least four extending portions; said center portion having an interior cavity accessible by at least one opening; first and second extending portions being adjacent to one another and adjustable in length; the length of said first and second extending portions having a length at least long enough to cross a vertical centerline of a wearer of the backpack; third and fourth extending portions being respectively releasably connected to the first and second extending portions, respectively; said releasable connection being anchored in front of a wearer of said backpack; each of said third and fourth extending portions having a length at least long enough to cross a vertical centerline of a wearer of the backpack.
 2. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the center portion and at least four extending portions are made of integral one-piece construction.
 3. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the center portion is made of a different material than the at least four extending portions.
 4. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the first and second extending portions are connected to the third and fourth extending portions, respectively and are connected by an adjustable buckle.
 5. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the opening of said interior cavity is sealable.
 6. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the third and fourth extending portions have a greater width than the first and second extending portions.
 7. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the third and fourth extending portions each have an interior cavity accessible by at least one opening.
 8. The backpack of claim 7, wherein the openings of the interior cavities of the third and fourth extending portions are sealable.
 9. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the length of the third and fourth extending portions is fixed.
 10. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the center portion conforms to the shape of a wearers back and shoulders during use.
 11. A backpack comprising: a main body further comprising: a center portion and at least four extending portions; said center portion having an interior cavity accessible by at least one opening; first and second extending portions being adjacent to one another; the length of said first and second extending portions having a length at least long enough to cross a vertical centerline of a wearer of the backpack; third and fourth extending portions being adjacent to one another and extending from a vertically central location of the center portion; said third and fourth extending portions being respectively releasably connected to the first and second extending portions, respectively; said releasable connection being anchored in front of a wearer of said backpack; each of said third and fourth extending portions having a length at least long enough to cross a vertical centerline of a wearer of the backpack.
 12. The backpack of claim 11, wherein the center portion is made of a different material than the at least four extending portions.
 13. The backpack of claim 11, wherein the first and second extending portions are connected to the third and fourth extending portions, respectively and are connected by an adjustable buckle.
 14. The backpack of claim 11, wherein the opening of said interior cavity is sealable.
 15. The backpack of claim 11, wherein the third and fourth extending portions have a greater width than the first and second extending portions.
 16. The backpack of claim 11, wherein the third and fourth extending portions each have an interior cavity accessible by at least one opening.
 17. The backpack of claim 16, wherein the openings of the interior cavities of the third and fourth extending portions are sealable.
 18. The backpack of claim 11, wherein the length of the first and second extending portions is fixed.
 19. The backpack of claim 11, wherein the center portion conforms to the shape of a wearers back and shoulders during use. 